Speaker Accelerator
May – Oct 2026 (Enrollment open until June 30) · Online
A six‑month program to develop a re-usable talk that tech audiences need to hear. Two-three hours a month, plus optional sessions. Limited to 20 people.
Participants present their talk at the conference in October.
Conference
Oct 2026 · Online
Real, thoughtful talks from people using tech to make the world a little better. Most speakers come through the Accelerator. A few spots open to the public. Tickets from $5.
What is The Speaker Accelerator?
The Tech Differently Speaker Accelerator is a gentle, supportive, proven program that helps you grow your confidence and uncover the talk only you can give, no matter where you’re starting from.
You don’t need a topic, a polished idea, or any speaking experience.
You just need curiosity and something you care about.
We guide you step by step, helping you move through impostor syndrome, find your voice, craft a talk that feels true to you, and share it with a real audience excited to hear from people who think differently in tech.
You’ll walk away with a conference talk you can reuse and a clearer, more confident way of talking about your work.
The Journey
May 2026 – Kick-off
Introductions and orientation
June 2026 – Who, Me?
Move through impostor syndrome and build authentic confidence.
June 2026 – Find A Topic
Structured exercises to find a topic you and the audience will love.
July 2026 – Create The Package
Craft a strong title, description, and polished speaker bio.
August 2026 – Write a Great Talk
Write an engaging talk using proven frameworks that keep the audience’s attention.
September 2026 – Nerves & Confidence
Overcome nerves and develop grounded stage presence + supportive rehearsals.
October 2026 – The Conference
Rehearse, deliver your talk, and share it with an audience who’s excited to hear from you.
Format
Small cohort, limited to 20 participants.
- Hands‑on, interactive group lessons where we build your skills and your talk in real time together.
- Live and async group coaching to work through blocks, doubts, and challenges as they come up.
- Rehearsals with the group.
- A like-minded community of curious, caring people who think and build differently.
- Everything is recorded for your private use, and you keep the recordings for life.
- Bonus lessons by request, such as thinking on your feet and handling tough questions.
Is This For Me?
If any of these sound like you or your company (even a little), you’re in the right place:
- You want support turning your perspective into a talk that conferences and podcasts will be excited to feature.
- You’re building something different or approaching your work in an unconventional way.
- You have ideas the tech world doesn’t hear enough or doesn’t know how to make space for.
- You bridge worlds: artist-engineer, community-tech, educator-coder, or something only you could name.
- You see problems differently because of who you are and where you’ve been.
what you’ll walk away with
- A complete, polished talk and bio, in your authentic voice and ready to reuse at tech conferences, events, and podcasts
- Real speaking skills and grounded confidence, on stage and off
- Visibility with an audience excited to hear from you
- A recording of your talk to promote yourself and your work
- A like-minded community who get it
- Recordings of all sessions, yours to keep and revisit long after the program ends.
TESTIMONIALS
What speakers say about working with Jill Binder
❝Jill Binder has been a key player in our WordPress community as a mentor and guide to aspiring speakers in over 50 countries.
Angela Jin — Former Head of Programs and Contributor Experience, Automattic
❝Jill Binder ran fantastic speaker training sessions over the years with our Adobe community.
Sherrie Rohde — Developer Relations, Experience Manager, Adobe
❝Definitely wouldn’t have done a successful talk without this program. I guess I can’t say that I suck at public speaking anymore!
Ebonie B. — Senior Software Engineer
❝I especially appreciate the technical expertise that Jill brings. It’s rare to find someone so skilled at communication who also understands technology and our audience.
Ross Wintle — Software Developer, UK
Join the 2026 Speaker Accelerator
Applications now open.
Limited to 20 participants.
More questions? Read the FAQ →
Don’t feel ready to apply? Impostor syndrome stopping you? Do the “Stop Feeling Like A Fraud in 120 Seconds” Reset and come back.
The conference
A conference built for people in tech who think differently.
Real, thoughtful talks from people using tech to make the world a little better.
Talks you’ve never heard before, from people you actually want to hear from.
You’ll leave energized, unstuck, and ready to ship something new.
Conference DATES
The dates are placeholders while we finalize details. The confirmed dates are coming soon. Sign up for the newsletter to be notified.
Day 1 – Virtual Stage
First speaker block
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Day 2 – Virtual Stage
(as needed)
Second speaker block
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
VIP After-Party
After-party for sponsors, speakers, and organizers
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
If you can’t make it live, you’ll have access to all replays to watch anytime.
CONFERENCE Tickets
Choose your way to attend
Standard Pass
$5
Access all sessions, recordings, and community chats.
sponsor
$250
Support our mission.
Help fund speakers with financial need.
Includes a standard pass + VIP after-party + microsponsor perks.
Tech Differently 